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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Having fun and raising awareness: Italian students monitor airborne microplastic in school environments
ClearHaving fun and raising awareness: Italian students monitor airborne microplastic in school environments
Italian high school students participated in a hands-on science project to collect and analyze airborne microplastics deposited inside their schools, then shared findings with classmates through peer teaching. The project measurably increased students' environmental awareness and sense of personal responsibility, demonstrating that student-led monitoring can serve both scientific and educational goals.
Long-term assessment of microplastics in indoor high school air: Abundance, sources, and polymeric analysis
Researchers monitored airborne microplastic concentrations in indoor high school environments over an extended period, identifying sources and seasonal patterns. Indoor air contained substantial microplastic levels, with textile fibers and outdoor infiltration contributing to persistent classroom air contamination.
Level of Awareness and Attitudes towards Plastic Contamination by Students of an Italian University
A survey of 220 Italian university students found significant gaps in awareness about micro- and nanoplastic contamination, with many not connecting everyday behaviors to plastic pollution despite science-oriented backgrounds.
Microplastics in the Environment: Raising Awareness in Primary Education
This study developed and evaluated a microplastics education program for primary school children, finding that age-appropriate lessons about plastic pollution could meaningfully increase students' environmental awareness. The authors argue that early education is a key component of long-term plastic pollution reduction strategies.
Schools against plastics: Schooling environmentally conscious students and supporting research on marine litter and microplastics
A citizen science initiative engaged Greek students in monitoring plastic pollution on two coastal beaches, finding macrolitter densities of 0.6 to 5.9 items per square meter and microplastic concentrations of 4.6 to 102.5 particles per kilogram of sand. Single-use plastics, especially bottle caps and cigarette butts, made up over 25% of collected items, and microplastics were also found inside sea urchins at both sites. The project demonstrates that student participation can generate scientifically valuable pollution data while building environmental awareness.
Students’ attitudes towards the environment and marine litter in the context of a coastal water quality educational citizen science project
Middle school students who participated in a citizen science project monitoring coastal water quality and microplastic pollution showed significantly more positive environmental attitudes afterward compared to a control group. The study suggests that hands-on engagement with real microplastic research can be an effective way to build environmental awareness in young people.
Can we investigate microplastic pollution with school students? Experiences from eight years of citizen science research
Researchers reported on eight years of citizen science microplastic research conducted with school students through the Plastic Pirates program, sharing methodological experiences and lessons learned from involving more than 24,000 participants across Germany and other European countries in rigorous environmental monitoring.
The effect of environmental health education on microplastic pollution awareness
This study found that environmental health education significantly increased students' awareness of microplastic pollution. The results suggest that incorporating microplastic-related topics into school curricula could help young people understand the health and environmental risks of plastic pollution. Raising awareness early is an important step toward reducing microplastic exposure at the individual and community level.
Airborne microplastics and plastic additives in a school environment: identification, quantification, and associated inhalation risks
Researchers measured airborne microplastic levels inside and outside a school near a plastics factory in Portugal and found that indoor concentrations were significantly higher than outdoor levels. Six types of plastic polymers were identified in classroom air, along with co-occurring pollutants like phthalates and pesticides. The study estimates daily inhalation exposure for children and highlights that kids may be breathing in microplastics throughout the school day.
Characterization and quantification of microplastics in indoor environments
Researchers measured airborne microplastics in indoor spaces including offices, labs, dining halls, and dormitories. Dormitories had the highest microplastic levels, with fibers being the most common shape found. The study highlights that people are regularly inhaling microplastics indoors, where they spend the majority of their time.
Determination of microplastics in university interior environments
This study measured airborne microplastic concentrations in indoor environments at a university, finding particles in air samples from multiple indoor settings. Results contribute to evidence that indoor air represents a significant daily source of microplastic inhalation exposure, particularly given the time people spend in closed indoor environments.
Embedding citizens within airborne microplastic and microfibre research
A citizen science study investigated airborne microplastics and microfibres in home environments, which are likely major sources of indoor plastic emissions given the volume of plastics and textiles stored and used there. Involving residents in sampling improved spatial coverage and community awareness of microplastic exposure in everyday settings.
Microplásticos no corpo humano: um percurso investigativo no ensino médio para despertar a consciência ambiental
This experience report describes a secondary school investigative didactic sequence in Brazil on microplastics in the human body, guiding 10th-grade students from initial hypothesis through flipped classroom activities to experimental investigation. The project successfully engaged students with environmental science and raised awareness of personal microplastic exposure.
Increasing knowledge and awareness of microplastic pollution in United States middle school students in a hybrid-classroom setting through science education
Researchers assessed microplastic pollution knowledge and awareness among middle school students in the United States, finding significant gaps in understanding of microplastic sources, pathways, and human health implications. The study highlights an educational opportunity and suggests targeted curriculum integration could improve scientific literacy around plastic pollution in younger generations.
Determination of microplastics in university interior environments
This study measured microplastic concentrations in indoor air at university facilities, building on evidence that indoor environments are significant sites of microplastic exposure through inhalation. Particles were detected in multiple indoor settings, contributing to growing evidence that daily indoor air exposure is a notable route of human microplastic intake.
Study of suspended microplastics in indoor air to assess human exposure through inhalation
Researchers investigated suspended microplastics in indoor air to assess the extent of human exposure through inhalation. The study quantified airborne microplastic particles in indoor settings, providing data on a potentially important but understudied route of daily microplastic intake for the general population.
Atmospheric microplastics deposition assessment in a countryside municipality in Southeastern Brazil: A case study at a state elementary school
Microplastic particles were detected in both outdoor and indoor air at a Brazilian elementary school over a two-year period, with outdoor concentrations reaching up to 168 particles per square meter per day. Most indoor particles were polyester fragments and fibers, likely from synthetic clothing and school supplies. This study is significant because children — who breathe more air relative to their body weight and spend substantial time indoors — represent a particularly vulnerable population for microplastic inhalation exposure.
Microplastic characterization based on the number of occupants
Microplastics were found in indoor dust from an apartment, office, and school in Surabaya, Indonesia, with school environments having the highest concentrations. The findings confirm that people — especially children — are continuously exposed to microplastics through the air they breathe indoors.
Airborne Microplastics in Indoor and Outdoor Environments at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Campus
Researchers collected airborne microplastic samples from indoor and outdoor environments at a Malaysian university campus, finding microplastics present in all locations with higher concentrations indoors and fiber morphologies predominating, suggesting occupants are continually exposed via inhalation.
Exploration of microplastic concentration in indoor and outdoor air samples: Morphological, polymeric, and elemental analysis
Researchers measured airborne microplastics in indoor and outdoor environments in Islamabad, Pakistan, finding that indoor air contained nearly five times more microplastics than outdoor air. Classrooms had the highest contamination at about 6 particles per cubic meter, with fibers being the most common shape and polyester (PET) the most common plastic type. These findings highlight that people are continuously inhaling microplastics, especially indoors.
Microplastic Fallout in Different Indoor Environments
Researchers tracked microplastic fallout in indoor environments (dormitory, office, corridor) over three months and found that higher human activity on workdays and airflow from air conditioning increased microplastic deposition rates, identifying indoor air as a significant exposure route.
Assessing the concentration, distribution and characteristics of suspended microplastics in the Malaysian indoor environment
Researchers measured airborne microplastic levels inside offices, classrooms, apartments, and homes across Malaysia over six weeks. Microplastics were found in every indoor environment tested, with fibers being the most common type, and people in homes were estimated to inhale more microplastics daily than those in offices or classrooms. The findings highlight that indoor air is a significant and often overlooked source of microplastic exposure for people.
Can we investigate microplastic pollution with school students? Experiences from eight years of citizen science research
Researchers shared eight years of experience from the Plastic Pirates citizen science program involving over 24,000 school students and teachers in microplastic research across Germany, addressing challenges of contamination prevention, particle size, and sample processing in non-laboratory settings. The study evaluated the feasibility and scientific validity of engaging young citizen scientists in standardized riverine microplastic monitoring.
Development of a standardized methodology for the identification and characterization of airborne microplastics in working spaces
Researchers developed a standardized methodology for identifying and characterizing microplastics in both indoor and outdoor atmospheric samples. The protocol addresses the lack of consistent methods for airborne microplastic monitoring, which is important given the high amount of time people spend indoors.